bathes

Bathes is the third-person singular present tense of the verb bathe. It denotes the act of washing in or with water, soaking in a bath, or applying water to cover a surface. In everyday use, it often refers to washing a person or an animal: for example, “She bathes the child” or “The dog is bathed weekly.” It can also describe the act of immersing oneself in a bath, as in “She bathes in a warm tub.” In figurative language, phrases like “bathe in light” describe being surrounded by or covered with light.

Etymology and form: Bathe comes from Old English baþian (often spelled baþe in historical texts) and is related to related terms such as bath and bathroom. The -es ending marks the third-person singular present tense in modern English. Related forms include bathe (infinitive), bathing (present participle or gerund), and bathed (past and past participle).

Related usage and forms: The verb is typically transitive when describing washing another person or object, and intransitive when referring to the subject’s own cleansing or immersion. The noun form is bath, and “bathroom” or “bathhouse” describe a place for bathing.

History and context: Bathing has a long history as a hygiene practice and has featured in various cultural and religious contexts. Ancient civilizations built public baths that served social and sanitary functions, and modern bathing emphasizes health, relaxation, and personal care.